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A Note about iPod Compatibility

In order to transfer WMA audiobooks from a PC (not a Mac computer), you must have both the OverDrive Media Console and iTunes installed on your computer. If you are a PC user who owns an iPod, it is likely that you already use iTunes. Be sure that you are using the most recent release (from the Help menu >> Check for Updates). If you don’t already sync your device to a computer, you’ll need to install iTunes and authorize it with your same iTunes ID and password as used to purchase items on your Apple device.

If you are a Mac user you will not be able to download WMA audiobooks to your Mac computer. We do not recommend connecting and syncing your (Mac-synced) iPod to a new computer in order to get audiobooks. When you connect to a different computer, all of the data (songs, videos, apps) will be erased and replaced the data from the new computer. Eeks! Think carefully before taking this step.

Transfer Tips for iPod Users

Patience

Download the WMA audiobook to the OverDrive Media Player program on your Windows computer.

Attach your iPod/iPhone/iPad to the computer with the USB cable.

Wait.

Let the device sync, backup, transfer purchases, and update as needed. Don’t try to transfer the audiobook until all of this has finished.

Manually Manage Music

You must have the device set to “Manually Manage Music (and Video). From the left sidebar >> Click on your device name >> Stay on the Summary page >> Scroll down to see “Manually Manage Music (and Video) >> Select >> Apply. Be sure to apply the changes!

Change Import Settings

You will also need to make a quick change to the import settings in iTunes.

Open iTunes.

From the “Edit” menu, click “Preferences.”

From the “General” tab, click “Import Settings” button.

Change the Settings to “Spoken Podcast” and click “OK.”

Why Change the Import Settings?

When transferring the WMA audiobook file to an iPod, the WMA file is converted to an iPod-friendly AAC file. This conversion/transfer can take 2-4 minutes per part. The OMC software prompts the patron to change the iTunes import settings from “High Quality” to “Spoken Podcast.” Doing so will significantly reduce the transfer time.

The changes to the iTunes settings only need to be done once. You are now ready to transfer the audiobook to your iPod.

Transferring a WMA Audiobook from a Windows computer to an iPod/iPhone/iPad

Open the OverDrive Media Console.

Click once on the audiobook you wish to transfer. It should now be blue.

Click the Transfer button and the Transfer Wizard will open.

The first screen of the transfer wizard shows you the title. The second screen detects your player…

Each part will take 2-4 minutes to convert and transfer to the iPod. Watch the progress in both the OMC and iTunes.

After the first part is successfully transferred to your iPod, a new playlist will show up on the left sidebar of iTunes, beneath the name of your device.

Wait for all parts to finish downloading. Close the OMC Transfer Wizard when prompted to do so and safely disconnect your device.

Note: The WMA audiobooks can be found in different places for different Apple devices.